“In one case, the virus spread a few days before symptoms developed”, notes the CDC on its website. So far, 827 cases have been reported but all have tested negative for Zika and other serious viruses.
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Health Sec. Vickie Yates Brown Glisson assured the public the state is coordinating its response with the Centers for Disease Control of Prevention.
“The biggest issue is for people to start now, to be proactive, to get out in front of this and inform themselves”, he said during a press conference.
“This means that all suspected cases of Zika virus diseases shall be reported within 24 hours to the Epidemiology Bureau (EB) through the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Units (RESU) in the country”, said Garin.
“This procedure is not new… these surveillance guidelines already exist and are continuously implemented in other infectious diseases”, Garin told reporters Monday.
Other diseases that are under Category 1 are highly transmittable diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Ebola virus, and Influenza A (H1N1). The United States has had 193 cases, all contracted during travel elsewhere, while the USA territories have had 174 cases, 92 percent of which have occurred in Puerto Rico. There are different cases of microcephaly aside from that caused by Zika.
“Pregnant women should be wary about mosquito bites”.
To prevent mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission, use EPA-registered insect repellents and wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers where and when mosquitoes are most active.
The Defense Department recommends personnel and family members returning from a country affected by Zika who suspect they may be infected to seek medical care and report their travel history.
“We continuously remind everyone that cleanliness is still the key against mosquito-borne diseases”.
While illness is usually mild and severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon, there is a probable link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects.
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She added that the public should remain vigilant and responsible in eliminating mosquito-breeding places.
